Heartbreak hits Panthers on final day

Sunday

May 31, 2009 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2009 at 8:23 AM

In one of the guttiest performances of Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A state track and field meet, Andrew Klaas of Lena-Winslow ran the final 150 meters of the second leg of the 1,600-meter relay with a quadricep that went out on him.

Unfortunately though, he got the baton to Wes Ertmer in last place. Ertmer and Kolton Kempel then ran splits as fast or faster than any other third and fourth runners in the field, helping the Panthers to a seventh-place finish, but the dream of a relay state title died on Klaas’ leg.

In one of the guttiest performances of Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A state track and field meet, Andrew Klaas of Lena-Winslow ran the final 150 meters of the second leg of the 1,600-meter relay with a quadricep that went out on him.

Unfortunately though, he got the baton to Wes Ertmer in last place. Ertmer and Kolton Kempel then ran splits as fast or faster than any other third and fourth runners in the field, helping the Panthers to a seventh-place finish, but the dream of a relay state title died on Klaas’ leg.

It was the first time all season that Klaas, Ertmer, Kempel and Quinn Haas lost in the 1,600 relay.

"I know we’re the best team," Ertmer said. "I’m proud of every one of my teammates."

"Andrew’s been fighting it the last two weeks," Le-Win coach Pete Brown said. "He got through one race (Thursday’s preliminary), but couldn’t get through this one."

Haas gave the baton to Klaas in good position and Klaas had a tacticically-proficient first curve as the Le-Win state title chances looked very promising. On the final curve it was if Klaas shut down, painfully struggling to get the baton to the exchange zone.

"I died on the curve," said a tearful Klaas, while being consoled by Ertmer.

"So much credit needs to go to Andrew for coming out and running as hard as he did," Ertmer said.

Walther Lutheran won the race in 3:22.53, while Le-Win ran 3:26.26

The same foursome finished fifth in the 800 relay with a time of 1:30.72. Rock Falls won at 1:29.10.

After running against Oregon’s Jordan Thomas all season, Ertmer found himself in the next lane in the finals of 400 run. Chasing Thomas, Ertmer finished in fifth place, while Thomas took second from the ninth lane.

Thomas won the 100 and 200 dashes, leading Oregon to the 1A team title.

"I got a break being on the lane inside of Jordan," Ertmer said. "I knew if I could stay close to him, I’d be okay. In my opinion, he’s the best runner in Class 1A. It’s an honor to run with him."

Brad Overcash of Pecatonica was one of three runners from the Le-Win sectional to place in the top five in the 3,200 run. Sean Smith of Winnebago was first at 9:36, Chris Nied of Christian Life was third at 9:46 and Overcash was fifth at 9:47.74.

"It was definitely a faster pace than Sean ran at the sectional," Overcash said. "I knew I couldn’t keep up with him, but tried to stay with Nied. I had to get mentally tough the last couple laps to push myself."

Jace Werkheiser of Freeport improved his distance in the shot put, but stayed in eighth place in the Class 2A shot put.

"I threw like crap again," said a disappointed Werkheiser. "I’m just not used to throwing in the morning."

Still, Werkheiser’s put of 51-feet, 10.75-inches earned him a place on the medal stand. Terron Armstead of Cahokia won the event at 57-7.

"I did a little better, but last night in practice I was at 55 feet," said Werkheiser, who plans to walk on as a football player for Northern Illinois University.

"Earlier in the season, we were thinking of dismantling the relay and concentrating on individual events," Frano said. "Then, in one meet, we cut our time by 30 seconds. It’s kind of a letdown not re-breaking the school record we set at the sectional and missing out on ninth place."

Polo’s Kyle Ditzler struggled in the long jump and fell out of medal contention, failing to improve on his preliminary mark of 20-7.75.

"I broke my toe last week and that’s been hurting me," Ditzler said.

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